A superstar beyond the screen: Sreenivasan built a house for his driver Shinoj last Vishu

Legendary actor and screenwriter Sreenivasan recently passed away, leaving an irreplaceable void in the Malayalam film industry. While he may not have always portrayed the benevolent hero on screen, off-screen he was known for his generosity and genuine affection for those around him.

Sreenivasan shared a particularly close bond with two individuals who considered him an elder brother—his long-time driver Shinoj and his neighbor, the renowned organic farmer Manu Philip Thukalan. Shinoj, who had been with Sreenivasan for over 17 years, was seen more as family than as an employee. In a powerful testament to his gratitude and friendship, Sreenivasan gifted Shinoj a brand-new house in Chottanikkara last Vishu.

Though initially reluctant to accept such a generous gift, Shinoj was eventually convinced by Sreenivasan’s son, Vineeth. Up until then, Shinoj had been living in the outhouse near Sreenivasan's home. The housewarming ceremony was celebrated this year during Vishu, with Sreenivasan attending despite his declining health. It was his wife, Vimala, who led the rituals. Today, Shinoj resides in Kandanad, where Sreenivasan and his family had settled.

Sreenivasan had long wished to build a home for Shinoj. Every time he brought it up, Shinoj declined. It took Vineeth’s intervention to persuade Shinoj to accept the gesture. Vineeth urged Shinoj not to refuse, explaining that Sreenivasan was offering the gift out of pure happiness. Eventually, Shinoj chose a plot in Kandanad, just as Sreenivasan had encouraged him to.

Sreenivasan also formed a deep friendship with his neighbor Manu Philip after settling in Kandanad. Impressed by Manu’s passion for organic farming, the actor became a close ally and advisor in the field. Together, they played a pivotal role in the agricultural revolution of Kandanad, transforming a small two-acre farm into more than 102 acres of thriving organic land.

On the day of his passing, Manu and Shinoj accompanied Sreenivasan to the hospital for dialysis. When the actor began to feel unwell, they rushed him to the nearby taluk hospital. Despite their efforts, Sreenivasan—who had shaped Malayalam cinema with his sharp social satires and masterful screenplays—passed away there.